14 Days
Daily Tour
6 people
English
Northern Tanzania and the Usambara – Explore Tanzania’s diverse birdlife in a 14-day tour with Village Weaver Birding Tours. Dive into Arusha National Park and spot unique species like the Spotted morning thrush. Visit birding hotspots like Lark Plains, Oldonyo Sambu, and Tarangire National Park, showcasing diverse birds from Beesly’s lark to Ashy starlings. The itinerary includes TPC, Nyumba ya Mungu Dam, Mkomazi National Park, South Pare Mountains, Magamba Forest, and Amani Nature Reserve, concluding with coastal birding at Fish Eagle Point before returning to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Meet the field crew at the airport and transfer to a lodge in Arusha town. Depending on arrival time, engage in an activity.
Arusha national parkis among the smallest park in Northern Tanzania yet it is more diverse than any other park in thr region ,From montane forest, highlands, swamps, plains, lakes, and shrubbery.it host different specie such as the endemic Broad-ringed white-eye,the restricted range endemic Taveta weaver,the near endemic Sentinel lark and Abbott`s starling,the rare Maccoa duck,Red-billed ,Hottent and Cape teals,Southern pochard,Fan-tailed grassbird,Trilling,Siffling,Winding,Singing and Rattling cisticolas,Cinnamon-chested and Little beeeaters,Bar-tailed and Narina trogons,Kerick`s,Sharpe`s and Red-winged starlings,Oriole finch ,Red-fronted parrot,Scaly spurfowl,Grey-headed nigrita,Moustached grass warbler and much more. Mammals includes Plain Zebra, Giraffe, Cape buffalo, Bushbuck, Suni, Red duiker and the endemic Kilimanjaro guerezza monkey. Night in Arusha.
Head to birding hotspot Lark Plains, known for rare birds like Beesly's lark and East African endemics. Drive to Oldonyo Sambu for little Rock thrush and Lyne's cisticola. Picnic lunch and overnight in Tarangire National Park.
Explore Tarangire's diverse landscapes, home to Tanzania endemics like Ashy starling and Rufous-tailed weaver. Encounter a variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, and zebras. Late evening return to Arusha for overnight.
Visit Tanzania's cane plantations at TPC for diverse bird species. Drive to Nyumba ya Mungu Dam for waterbirds and dry country species. Overnight at Elephant Motel near Mkomazi National Park.
Explore Mkomazi's semi-arid habitat for Maasai-Somali endemics and a range of bird species. Overnight at Elephant Motel.
Head to South Pare Mountains for endemic South Pare white-eye and other East Coast forest species. Drive to Magamba Forest in the West Usambaras for potential night bird walk. Overnight at Muller's Mountain Lodge.
Explore the Eastern Arch mountains for Usambara endemics. Highlights include Usambara weaver, akalat, hyliota, and bluebill. Overnight at Muller's Mountain Lodge
Drive to Amani Nature Reserve for near endemics like Sokoke pipit and Mombasa woodpecker. Explore the forest for a variety of species. Overnight at Amani Rest House.
Travel to Fish Eagle Point on the coast for coastal species like East Coast puffback and Lowland tiny greenbul. Take a boat trip for seabirds. Overnight at Fish Eagle Lodge
Morning birding near the lodge, then return for breakfast. Depart for Kilimanjaro International Airport with birding stops along the way.
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all!
On our birding and wildlife safari, we often begin birding early in the morning, usually having breakfast before dawn. Days will usually start at first light to catch activity in the morning before the day warms up and activity slows down. The pace will be relaxed and most of the birding will be from the vehicle. On some days, we may rest for a mid-day ‘siesta’. During leisurely dinners we discuss the day’s activities and review the day’s list of sightings, and make plans for the next day. There will be a few optional nocturnal outings, to search for owls and nightjars.
Most of the day will be spent in the vehicle viewing wildlife and birds. The vehicles are modified Toyota Land Cruiser, specifically designed for safaris, in which the roof pops up, allowing you to stand up fully and take unobstructed photos or view the wildlife. We will make frequent stops to clean toilet facilities throughout the day. Some days will include longer drives to get to the next destination. The roads can be bumpy and dusty.
East Africa is a diverse region, and we visit montane forests, huge grasslands, arid plains, coastal beaches and expansive wetlands. Short heavy rainfalls can happen at any time, and occasionally humidity can be an inconvenience.
Please note that the detailed itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a guide and may be changed due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors.
We stay in mostly good quality accommodations, often in excellent birding localities. Some accommodations may be ‘tented camps’, which are very comfortable walled tents with proper beds and indoor plumbing.
Village Weaver Birding Tours comprises a team of expert bird guides specializing in personalized birding experiences across East Africa. With an in-depth knowledge of the region's birdlife, they design intimate small-group safaris and family adventures.
Member Since 2024
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